The First Congressional District of Oregon
Here is a list of useful
links to help you get to know the First Congressional
District of Oregon. The list is by no means all-inclusive
-- just a place to start.
Oregon's First Congressional District includes five counties in Northwest Oregon following the Columbia River from downtown Portland to the Pacific Ocean and Oregon's scenic north coast. The First Congressional District encompasses the variety of geographical, historical, industrial, and recreational attractions that make Oregon such a distinct and sought after place to live.
Internationally recognized for its urban planning and commitment to livability, Portland, in Multnomah County, is a city brimming with industry and character. Downtown Portland provides visitors and residents alike with numerous attractions including Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland's "living room"; the historic Pearl District dotted with art galleries and popular cafes and eateries throughout; Tom McCall Waterfront Park, providing walkers and joggers a view of the beautiful Willamette River; the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, home to the Oregon Symphony; and the NW 23rd Street shopping district where Oregonians enjoy sales tax-free shopping at plenty of unique boutiques and restaurants. And, since Portland is the "City of Roses", one of the most famous landmarks is the Rose Garden overlooking the city skyline.
Oregon's economic engine is fueled by the "Silicon Forest" companies of Washington County, Oregon's second largest and fastest growing. High-tech companies such as Intel and Tektronix employ thousands of county residents, and international apparel companies such as Nike and Columbia Sportswear call Washing County home. The growth of business in Washington County has made the Hillsboro Airport the second busiest in the state. Agriculture remains an important part of the county's economy with a large nursery industry and other diverse crops, which are sold at Washington County's attractive farmers markets.
The cutting edged technology of the Silicon Forest is supported by the research universities of Oregon Health Sciences University, Oregon Graduate Institute, and Portland State University. In addition, the first district is home to the Linfield College, Pacific university, George Fox University, Portland Community College, and Clatsop Community College.
South of Washington County along the Willamette Valley is Yamhill County, home to Oregon's wine industry. Known for its Pinot Noir, Yamhill County today has well over one hundred individual wineries. Yamhill remains part of the heartland of Oregon's agriculture industry. The county also draws visitors to the Evergreen Aviation Museum, home of Howard Hughes' famous Spruce Goose and an SR71 Blackbird. These and other rare planes make Yamhill County a prominent landmark for international aviation.
Back to the north, is Columbia County. Historically, Columbia County had a river-related, natural resource-based economy. After declines in timber revenues the county faced difficult times, but good leadership, both public and private, have changed this picture. Businesses are growing and expanding, and the county has tapped the river's tourist opportunities and offers the only two marine parks in Oregon: Sand Island on the Columbia River and J.J. Collins Memorial Marine Park on the Multnomah Channel. The county's population is increasing with families eager to live in smaller communities with congeniality but still close to amenities offered by surrounding urban areas.
Further west, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, the landscape unfolds into the sandy beaches and scenic coastal views of Clatsop County. The county is home to a strong fishing industry and scattered with charming, close-knit communities. Astoria has provided backdrops for Hollywood films, including Steven Spielberg's Goonies, and the Marine Environmental Research and Training Station is one of the most comprehensive and advanced marine technology centers in the country.
In addition, Clatsop County also holds an important piece of our nation's history. The mouth of the Columbia is where the famous journey of Lewis and Clark completed its mission. The history of the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark is one of the nation's most remarkable stories, combining elements of tribal culture, botany, zoology, adventure, geography and natural history and much more. Their journey changed forever the way of life for the existing tribes and illustrated the magnificence of the depth and breadth of the America for generations to come.